A short history of the Icelandic Section.

Some historical facts about the Icelandic Section of the Theosophical Society

Based in part on an article by Einar Adalsteinsson published in the American Theosophist in 1996.

The Icelandic Section was founded in Reykjavik in a collective meeting of the seven lodges in Iceland on August 12. 1920. The charter of the section was signed by Annie Besant January 5, 1921. The first General Secretary was elected Jakob Kristinsson, who resigned as a vicar among Icelandic settlers in Canada to take the position.

The first known records of theosophical studies in Iceland date back to 1909, when few prominent persons in Akureyri in northern Iceland formed a study group to read and discuss Theosophy. The group became formally a lodge in April 20, 1913. In November 17, 1912 seven prominent individuals in Reykjavik met in the home of consul Ludvig Emil Kaaber to form the first formal lodge, Reykjavik Lodge. It was founded under the Scandinavian section, as at that time Iceland was still a part of Denmark.

In April 1917 Ludvig Kaaber bought the former church of the Seventh Day Adventists, and gave it to the Reykjavik Lodge, with the restriction that it should be available for the meetings of the Co-Freemasons as long as needed bee. The house was formally consecrated for the theosophical work on July 31, 1917. Two years later in the summer 1919 extensive changes were made on the house, which by then had become the home of the Theosophical activity in Reykjavik.

The publishing house "Hlidskjalf" was established in March 1961. There has been a number of publications published in Icelandic through the years. Among them are several books by Gretar Fells and Sigvaldi Hjalmarsson.

The Theosophical Journal "Gangleri" was started in 1926 and has been published bi-annually, from that time to present, each copy 96 pages, packed with spiritual food. Almost from the beginning it gained respect and popularity widely outside the circles of TS members and there has been sold 3 or 4 times more copies than there are members, reaching up to 2400 sold copies (1% of population!) in the sixties. The name Gangleri comes from the "Eddas" of the Nordic mythology. It was a name taken by the king of Sweden ,when traveling guised as a beggar to the east, to seek wisdom.

Right from the beginning the theosophical activity in Iceland has been lively and dynamic. The membership has been relatively large, over 600 members among a population of 250 thousands in the late 70's, but at present the membership is around 350.

Among the 14 General Secretaries that have resided during these 75 years, two need to be mentioned. In 1935 a writer, poet and a mystic, Gretar Fells took the post and remained until 1956 when another mystic, Sigvaldi Hjalmarsson, took the post. Mr. Fells was a brilliant speaker and became popular nationwide for his frequent spiritual talks on the radio. Mr. Hjalmarsson took over after him and brought the Society to its hights until he handed the post to younger people in 1975. In his time the members were introduced to the deepest mystical and esoteric teachings of the world, not as theory, but in a highly practical way. Meditation, self-culture and profound study was practiced in smaller and larger groups several days of the week at headquarters and young members flocked in to take part.

After the death of Mr. Hjalmarsson in 1985 the loss of a great leader was felt in the section. No one could step into his footsteps, and if someone was there, he or she wouldn't have been accepted as such. So the inevitable drop in activity and membership was much felt the next few years. But the foundation had been laid and there has been increasing interest and flourishing activity over the last few years. There is now something going on every day of the week where members and non members get together for serial study or meditation practice.

Einar Adalsteinsson.